Eng traveled to Pak in high spirits, the glory of Ashes was enough to raise their spirits to sky. Most English experts almost called Pakistan a piece of cake.
Politics and disputes were always there to restrict Shoaib Akhter from being a part of this wonderful Pak squad. Pak failed to win any Test series in his absence. This series was his comeback and he what a comeback it was. He was the difference amongst two sides as English captains (Vaughn and Trescothic) will always speak. The glory of Ashes was over (for England).
From Fazal Mahmood to Shoaib Akhter, Fast bowlers have always lifted Pakistan against better oppositions and with his recent comeback, Akhter has proved that he is “the last man standing” in this line of pace and swing.
As Test and ODI series have finished in favor of Pak, it is not much difficult to separate performers and non-performers. Here is the suggested 14-men squad. All entries are ordered (based on performance) and follow this pattern:
I am
My favorite Line (from a hit)
Test Performance
ODI Performance
Bottom Line
1.) Shoaib Akhter
Is there no one else??? (Troy)
85 runs (av: 21.25, s/r: 34.97) [50:1] and 17 wickets (av: 24.58, s/r: 41.8)
3 runs (av: 1.50, s/r: 60.00) and 7 wickets (av: 26.28, s/r: 28.1)
A lot of questions were raised about his form and fitness and Shoaib Akhter proved his critics wrong by his match-winning performances.
2.) Andrew Flintoff
Are you not entertained?? (Shark Tales)
125 runs (av: 20.83, s/r: 54.82) [50:1] and **13 **wickets (av: 31.46, s/r: 64.6)
**187 **runs (av: 46.75, s/r: 80.95) [50:1] and 7 wickets (av: 25.71, s/r: 30.7)
Flintoff was the best performer for England in this tour, and an excellent entertainer.
3.) Inzamam-ul-Haq
…Bond, James Bond (Dr No)
431 runs (av: 107.75, s/r: 63.47) [100:2, 50:3]
**170 **runs (av: 85.00, s/r: 89.00) [50:1]
Inzy is well-known for his Solid and Steady performances and this series was no different. If there are a few players who can claim to be “bigger than the game”, Inzy is definitely one of them.
- ) Mohammed Yousuf
Run, Forrest, run. (Forrest Gump)
342 runs (av: 68.4, s/r: 56.52) [100:1, 50:1]
220 runs (av: 55.00, s/r: 75.34) [50:3]
Yousuf delivered best with his bat, but he will (also) be remembered (as well) for his involvement in run outs.
5.) Naved-ul-Hasan Rana
Don’t get saucy with me, Bernaise! (History of the World Part 1)
68 runs (av: 34, s/r: 106) and 7 wickets (av: 32.00, s/r: 58.2)
32 runs (av: 16, s/r: 114) and 9 wickets (av: 24.77, s/r: 28.6)
Rana is a true fighter, and he can turn the game at any point. Every one who tries to hit him hard finds it hard to survive.
6.) Ian Bell
You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender (On the Waterfront)
313 runs (av: 52.16, s/r: 45.49) [100:1, 50:2]
**37 **runs (s/r: 88.09)
Bell joined the English as some players faced injuries, but he proved that he deserved a regular place.
7.) Shahid Afridi
To infinity and beyond (Toy Story)
92 runs (av: 46.00, s/r: 106.97) [50: 1] and 4 wickets (av: 27.75, s/r: 56.2)
69 runs (av: 23.00, s/r: 121.0) and **6 **wickets (av: 18.83, s/r: 27.0)
Though Afridi was out of 2 Tests and 2 ODIs, and there was very little he can perform, he has always been the most cheered person on the ground and he performed in all games he participated.
8.) Salman Butt
I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille (Sunset Boulevard)
300 runs (av: 60.0, s/r: 43.2) [100:1, 50:2]
**160 **runs (av: 32, s/r: 75) [50:1]
Opening was a problem for Pak and in Butt they have found a better option. Butt is one of the youngsters who might serve Pak for long.
9.) Kamran Akmal
Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night (All About Eve)
265 runs (av: 53, s/r: 56) [100:1] 2 catshes and 2 stumps]
**245 **runs (av: 49, s/r: 88) [100:2] 11 catches]
This outstanding keeper can make his day with bat and that too in an entertaining way.
10.) Danish Kaneria
(I’ll) make him an offer he can’t refuse (The Godfather)
13 runs (av: 13, s/r: 48) and 11 wickets (av: 36.00, s/r: 72.6)
2 runs (av: 2, s/r: 50) and 2 wickets (av: 49.50, s/r: 54.0)
Kaneria is the Godfather of spin though he is not big success in ODIs.
11.) Paul Collingwood
My precious. (THE LORD OF THE RINGS: TWO TOWERS)
189 runs (av: 47.25 , s/r: 47.60) [50:2] and 0 wickets
115 runs (av: 28.75, s/r: 70.98) and 3 wickets (av: 56.00, s/r: 62.0)
A decent (friendly perhaps) performance from Collingwood.
12.) Shoaib Malik
Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that’s ours and ours alone. Something that can’t be learned… something that’s got to be remembered. (Legend of Bagger Vance)
110 runs (av: 22, s/r: 51) [50: 1] and 4 wickets (av: 40.25, s/r: 61.5)
82 runs (av: 27, s/r: 77) and **4 **wickets (av: 38.22, s/r: 48.0)
Malik is a silent but consistent performer. He often fails to make headlines with his performances but he performs well.
13.) Steve Harmison
Well, nobody’s perfect. (SOME LIKE IT HOT)
29 runs (av: 9, s/r: 103) and 12 wickets (av: 32.4, s/r: 61.4)
1 runs (av: 0.5, s/r: 50) and 3 wickets (av: 66.3, s/r: 72.0)
Harmison performed in Pak but not a performance one expects from him after Ashes. It was not a big tour for Harmison and he struggled on batting tracks, but he is a quality player.
14.) Kevin Pietersen
There’s no place like home (The Wizard of Oz)
201 runs (av: 33.5, s/r: 66.11) [100:1]
84 runs (av: 42.00, s/r: 127.27) [50:1]
Pietersen was lucky (or clever enough) to travel back to Eng., and Eng definitely missed him.
:nono: :nono3: